What Causes Electric Razor Burns? And How To Prevent It?

You have probably gone to a barber to shave your head, only to feel a sensation of burns and strong heat, right? This problem is very common. Indeed, studies after studies have deduced almost without exception that many people indeed suffer from it. That is why a suitable guide of this kind is, by all means, handy and highly welcome.

In this guide, we shall endeavor to ask and answer two pertinent questions. These are what causes electric razor burn? And how to prevent it. We have invested a great deal of our time and wit in researching the answers to these two questions. We have consulted experts in the field who we have subsequently furnished us with the right answers. We are sure you will receive the necessary insight from them.

What causes electric razor burns?

There is no unifying explanation or answer to this question. This is because several factors are to blame for the emergence of the condition. However, the following three are the most significant of those factors that are responsible for the menace:

Dull Razor:

A dull razor is one whose blades are blunt. This is to mean that they have lost the sharpness and cannot, therefore, get rid of the hair perfectly and as required. This issue may arise for several reasons. The most significant of these is the obsolescence of the razor blades. Just like every other piece of material, the blades also wear and tear with time.

These dull razors are poor conductors of heat and electricity. If and when they do get into contact with the skin, they subject the skin to the risks of burns. This is not to mention other skin problems like rashes, reddening, swelling, and even scars. Some dull razors may even harbor germs and infections which are pretty harmful.

Dirty Razor:

If the razor blades are not washed thoroughly after and immediately before use, they too may predispose you to the risks of burns. Dirt is a good conductor of heat and electricity. When the razors are switched on with the dirt on the blade, some of the electrical energy may bypass the circuit and find its way onto your skin. The dirt also accelerates the buildup of heat which subsequently inflicts the problem of burns.
This calls for regular and timely cleaning of the blades. This gets rid of all the dirt and other debris that may have settled on the blades. This way, the problem is avoided considerably. Thorough washing and disinfection of the blades are also vital as a permanent intervention mechanism.

Dirty Skin:

Lastly, dry and skin may also cause this condition. Dry skin has less moisture. This makes them too rigid to easily respond to the motions of the machine and the blades in particular. The end result is often an unholy confrontation between the blades of the razor and the skin. Other than this, the dirt on the skin also traps and accumulates heat. When this heat builds up substantially, it inflicts the sensations of burns.

It is, therefore, necessary to shave only after having washed the skin thoroughly and removed all dirt. As a matter of fact, it is strongly recommended that you wash your skin moments or within an hour before shaving. This will guarantee a clean surface and prevent the possibility of sustaining burns unnecessarily while shaving.

How can I prevent skin burns?

Yes, you can. You have to adopt and adhere to the following best practices to be able to accomplish this particular feat:

Shave in the right Direction:

In most instances, this problem arises when the hair is shaved against the direction of the strands thereof. To avoid this problem, it is advisable that you shave in the direction of the hair growth. This is to minimize inconveniences and unnecessary frictions.

It is also necessary to prepare the hair before shaving. The hair has to be combed or brushed thoroughly to make the strands straight and easily accessible. Doing this will also help the blades scour freely and unhindered while plowing the hair.

Though not a must, you may also wish to shampoo the hair moments before shaving it. This goes a long way in ridding the hair of any dandruff or hidden dirt. This stems from the effective nature of shampoos in getting rid of hidden or otherwise hard-to-reach dirt.

Replace the Blades periodically:

As stated above, the dull razors are the chief causes of the skin burns. It, therefore, goes without saying that the blades have to be changed periodically. As soon as they have started losing the sharpness, you have to take the initiative to replace them with the newer and the sharper counterparts.
If you can get rid of the rust from the blades without necessarily changing them altogether, the better for you. This shall save you money and guarantee the efficacy of the blades at all times. To slow down the pace of deterioration, you have to dry the blades thoroughly before storage. The grease or oil will, by all means, come in handy at such times.

Apply a skin moisturizer:

Lastly, you have to apply moisturizer on the part of the skin which you intend to shave hair from. The moisturizers concerned have to possess either the emollients or glycerin or both. These two substances are great at moisturizing the skin and making it supple enough to be able to respond appropriately to the motions of the razor. They subsequently go a long way in mitigating the possibilities of the burns developing.

You have to apply the moisturizer before, rather than after shaving. This is to allow the ingredients to sink deeper into the skin and do their work before the commencements of the shaving process. Around 30 minutes before the start of shaving will do.

Conclusion:

It goes without saying that there indeed are numerous other causes of razor burns and the possible interventions. Due to the limited time and space at our disposal, we inevitably had to stop there. Feel free to carry on from where we have left especially if you do not find a satisfactory solution to this problem from among the options we have explored above.

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